Wei Chong-Kai Wun bring back magic of 2023
KUALA LUMPUR: Men's doubles Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun rediscovered the magic of 2023 to stun Japan's former world champions Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi today for a place in the Malaysia Masters final again at the Axiata Arena.
World No. 8 Wei Chong-Kai Wun were calm and calculated in producing a near flawless attacking game to crush world No. 20 Hoki-Kobayashi 21-12, 21-14 in just 31 minutes in the semi-finals.
Known for their attacking prowess albeit inconsistent, Wei Chong-Kai Wun were simply devastating today with few errors as they killed off rallies with telling smashes.
The quick win was a satisfying one for Wei Chong-Kai Wun as they had lost to Hoki-Kobayashi in all their two previous meetings, and in straight games too.
"We didn't think about the two previous defeats to them because those were two years ago and our performance is current," said Kai Wun.
He said they had to play at a fast pace or face the prospect of losing again.
Despite their superb performance, Wei Chong said it was not their best performance against a top pair as they are capable of a more consistent high level.
"This may not be our best win, but we are happy to be able to perform like this. It is just a match and it may not be the same again tomorrow, so we have to stay focused," said Wei Chong.
"The fans have once again played a big role in inspiring us and both our families (from Melaka) are also here to motivate us.
"The shuttle speed today was fast and we needed to adopt an attacking play. If not, the opponents would kill the rallies in just two or three shots."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
Malaysia's Top Doubles Pairs Reach Indonesian Open Semis
BOTH national men's doubles pair Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun and national women's pair Pearly Tan-M Thinaah made it through to the semi-finals of the Indonesian Open today. Wei Chong-Kai Wun had no trouble beating Indian pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty 21-19, 21-16 at Istora Senayan, Jakarta while Pearly Tan-M Thinaah beat Japanese pair Rin Iwanaga-Kie Nakanishi 21-6, 21-18. Wei Chong shared that his victory came from fully focusing on the gameplay and strategy outlined by their coach. 'We don't think win or lose, we just do what we need to do. We just focus on game plan and strategy,' he said in an audio recording shared by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) to the media today. Wei Chong-Kai Wun will play home pair Sabar Karyaman Gutama-Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani while Pearly Tan-M Thinaah will meet China's Li Yi Jing-Luo Xu Min in their respective semi-final matches tomorrow.
The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
Wei Chong-Kai Wun, Pearly-Thinaah advance to Indonesian Open semi finals
BOTH national men's doubles pair Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun and national women's pair Pearly Tan-M Thinaah made it through to the semi-finals of the Indonesian Open today. Wei Chong-Kai Wun had no trouble beating Indian pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty 21-19, 21-16 at Istora Senayan, Jakarta while Pearly Tan-M Thinaah beat Japanese pair Rin Iwanaga-Kie Nakanishi 21-6, 21-18. Wei Chong shared that his victory came from fully focusing on the gameplay and strategy outlined by their coach. 'We don't think win or lose, we just do what we need to do. We just focus on game plan and strategy,' he said in an audio recording shared by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) to the media today. Wei Chong-Kai Wun will play home pair Sabar Karyaman Gutama-Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani while Pearly Tan-M Thinaah will meet China's Li Yi Jing-Luo Xu Min in their respective semi-final matches tomorrow.
New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Istora Senayan feels like home for Wei Chong-Kai Wun
KUALA LUMPUR: Istora Senayan is fast becoming a second home for men's doubles pair Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, who are now just one win away from reaching their third consecutive final at the famed Jakarta venue. The world No. 7 were runners-up at the Super 1000 event last year and lifted the Super 500 Indonesia Masters title at the same venue in January. On Friday, Wei Chong-Kai Wun produced a commanding performance to stun world No. 22 Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty 21-19, 21-16 in just 43 minutes — their first win over the Indian pair in five meetings. "We focused on our game plan even though they were faster and stronger," said Wei Chong. "Because of the draught, we kept our returns flat and avoided lifting the shuttle too much — that helped us control the match." Kai Wun added: "It feels great to finally beat them. It gives us a real confidence boost for the semi-finals. So far, everything is going well." Next up, Wei Chong-Kai Wun will seek revenge against Indonesia's world No. 8 Sabar Karyaman Gutama-Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani, who edged world No. 1 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin in the other quarter-final. Sze Fei-Izzuddin squandered a 19-17 lead in the deciding game to fall 21-19, 6-21, 21-19 in 57 minutes. "We were quite nervous during the crucial stage while they managed their emotions better," admitted Izzuddin. Sze Fei, however, dismissed suggestions that their world No. 1 status added pressure. "The pressure is always there. It's about learning how to overcome it. That's something we need to improve," he said. Despite the defeat, Sze Fei-Izzuddin will retain their world No. 1 ranking next week, while compatriots Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik are set to rise to No. 2. The other Malaysians in the semi-finals are Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah (women's doubles) and Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei (mixed doubles).
